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LONDON, England - July 23 - British car production rose sharply in June 2015, helped by an upturn in the number of cars built for export and capping the strongest half-year performance since 2008.

An industry body said on Thursday (July 23 2015) that total production rose by 5.4% in June over with the same month in 2014 to 143 759 vehicles, the UK's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said.

Cars built for export - about four out of every five - rose by nine percent on the year to 115 408 but there was a 7.1% fall in cars built for the British market.

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The SMMT said 793 642 cars rolled off the production lines during the first six months of 2015 - a 0.3% increase on the same period in 2014 and the best performance in seven years.

New figures also suggested a sharp increase in productivity among car producers over the last few years, with the sector producing 100 000 pounds in added value per employee in 2014 compared with 74 000 pounds in 2010.

By contrast, productivity growth across the economy as a whole in the same period has been dire.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "This success has been built on significant industry investment but has also relied on a positive relationship with the government, essential if the industry is to maintain its international competitiveness."

One of Germany's top courts will decide on Thursday whether some diesel vehicles can be banned from parts of cities like Stuttgart and Duesseldorf to reduce air pollution, a possible landmark judgement for the 'car nation'.

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